Sorokin's disappearance and the collapse of the Infinite Financial Group had a certain impact on the economy of interstellar society. However, the fall of one oligarch meant the rise of a group of giants. Many forces absorbed the resources of the Infinite Financial Group, completed the transition, filled the business gaps caused by the collapse of the Infinite Financial Group, and continued to maintain various services for interstellar society.
In this competition to divide the pie, the Germinal Financial Group, relying on its status as a shareholder of Black Star and the military advantage of the Legion, inherited many of the Infinite Financial Group's trump cards and a large number of talents. It swallowed the cake whole and became a giant almost overnight, its scale expanded rapidly, and its stock price soared.
After this ordeal, although the Infinite Financial Group managed to salvage its last remaining assets and weather the storm, it was severely weakened, with only a portion of Sorokin's elite children clinging to the family business.
Even though the Infinite Financial Group has been dismantled like this, it has only fallen from the position of a top cosmic conglomerate and can still barely be ranked among the first-class star-domain large consortia. This shows how rich Sorokin's wealth is after years of hard work. In terms of legitimate ways of making money, there may really be no one among the Beyond Grade A who is better than him.
If it weren't for the fact that Little Sorokin couldn't appear in public, Han Xiao would almost have wanted him to be in charge of the legion's business operations. He had already confirmed that making money was indeed one of Sorokin's few hobbies.
In Suo Suo's own words, the growth of money was visible to the naked eye and much easier than the improvement of strength. He liked this positive feedback mechanism that grew like a snowball, and the increase in assets made him feel physically and mentally happy.
However, Han Xiao did not intend to let Sorokin be idle. He simply let Sorokin handle some business affairs behind the scenes, transforming him from a boss into a combination of senior consultant and professional manager, and from others working for him to him working for himself.
Anyway, this guy likes making money, and he's just sitting around doing nothing. Letting him continue pursuing his hobby is a form of entertainment. At worst, we can give Little Sorokin some paper dividends... since he has nowhere else to spend them anyway.
In Han Xiao's opinion, the most unlucky ones are the players of the Infinite Financial Group. When they come back after the new version goes live, their reactions will probably be exactly the same...
Where is my faction? Such a big faction?!
Han Xiao just thinking about it makes his mouth water... cough, how awful.
It seems we must embrace these homeless leeks with warmth and let them feel that there is true kindness in the world.
Meanwhile, after the Crimson Dynasty issued an arrest warrant for Sorokin, the turmoil Gaud seemed to have finally subsided, with the Empire taking no further action and things returning to calm.
The interstellar society's focus shifted back to the development of the Shattered World. The fourth phase of exploration had ended with the withdrawal of the Super Cluster. The fifth and sixth phases of exploration were to follow, all themed on peaceful development. Subsequent development would have little to do with the Beyond Grade A allies.
Several months later, the Germinal Financial Group finally finished digesting the "legacy" of the Infinite Financial Group and presented Han Xiao with a detailed report.
Black Star Palace, Legion Commander's Office.
Han Xiao carefully reviewed the conglomerate's report on the screen. After a long while, he nodded in satisfaction and looked at Sylvia in front of him, as well as the remote projection of Enterprise.
"You've done a great job. By acquiring these businesses of the Infinite Financial Group, the Legion's expansion of its branches across various star systems has taken a giant leap forward, saving them at least twenty years."
"This is all thanks to your excellent leadership. You are the beacon of the legion, guiding us in the right direction," Sylvia said with a fawning smile.
Han Xiao rubbed the back of his hand. "I saw in the report that we recruited some of Sorokin's children, and some of them even switched jobs voluntarily..."
"That's because your personal charm is irresistible," Sylvia flattered again.
Han Xiao gave her a strange look.
Has this woman changed her tune today? She usually ignores me completely!
Han Xiao ignored her and turned to Enterprise, "What are your plans for Sorokin's children?"
Enterprise stroked his mustache and said slowly, "Although Sorokin fled to escape punishment, his children are basically innocent. Many of them have received elite training and hold senior management positions in the Infinite Financial Group. They are outstanding. Recruiting these people will strengthen the Germinal Financial Group. Of course, I will have them assessed before taking up their posts and limit their power, distributing them among various management positions."
"Okay, let's do it your way."
Han Xiao remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was a little uneasy.
Could this be considered recognizing a thief as one's father?
Well, given Little Sorokin's personality, it seems like he only had these children to train as assistants, and there wouldn't be much affection between them.
It's common for Beyond Grade A individuals to reproduce and act as assistants, but most people have children normally, and at most engage in group sex to improve efficiency. The extreme approach of the Beast Ancestor is unique in this era.
"The offspring are indeed impressive, they can be raised in a customized way from a young age. Maybe I should start having kids too..." Han Xiao muttered to himself.
Sylvia's eyes lit up immediately, and she blurted out:
"I'm willing! Even maternity leave is a leave of absence, I don't mind!"
Han Xiao was so startled he almost slipped under the table.
No way, have you become this desperate to get time off work?
Not only do you want a vacation, but you also want to sleep with your boss? There's no such thing as a free lunch, pshaw!
Enterprise coughed lightly beside him and whispered, "If you want to take maternity leave, I can actually help you..."
Sylvia glared at him. "Dream on, get lost!"
Enterprise's expression froze. Under Han Xiao's meaningful gaze, he wisely slunk off the computer.
Only the two of them remained in the room. Suddenly, Sylvia smiled seductively, swaying her hips as she walked towards Han Xiao Han Xiao. She placed her hands on the table, leaned forward, and whispered in his ear, "I wasn't joking, you know. Do you have feelings for me?"
"Are you in heat? Looks like I need to remember this day, figure out your cycle, and avoid you from now on."
Han Xiao seemed to be deep in thought.
Sylvia's face twitched, her smile froze, and she forced herself to suppress her rage, whimpering, "Don't you really know how charming you are? My admiration for you is already overflowing. How can you bear to treat me like this?"
Don't try that on me, it won't work. Just say what you have to say.
Han Xiao remained unmoved, slapped Sylvia on the forehead, and pushed her head away.
What are you talking about? I'm a respectable person, deeply educated in socialism. I would never do the kind of thing where the secretary does everything when there's nothing to do. I'm a very upright person.
He's usually indifferent to me, but today he's turned into a heartless bootlicker. They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, so this guy must have something to ask of me today.
Sylvia's face fell. She kicked Han Xiao's shin hard, then grimaced and rubbed her toes, angrily saying:
"I've been the chief affairs officer for decades, and you've treated me like a tool? Is that fair?! I can't take it anymore, I want a different position!"
Han Xiao thought about it and agreed. Although Sylvia was very loyal, she had been used as a tool for too long and had her own grievances. In particular, the lifespan of a Calamity Grade was far less than that of Beyond Grade A. She had basically devoted her best years to the cause of the Legion.
People often say that a cadre's hairline is their endurance, but Han Xiao thinks he's quite humane. As long as the demands are reasonable, he won't really treat cadres as tools.
"So what do you want to do?"
"I want you to teach me how to be Beyond Grade A!"
"Huh?" Han Xiao thought he had misheard.
"I've devoted myself to the Legion, wasting so much of my life, and you won't even teach me!" Sylvia said angrily.
"That's not it, it's just that Beyond Grade A requires talent. Even if I teach you, your chances aren't great..." Han Xiao said helplessly.
"I don't care, I want you to teach me!"
Sylvia grabbed Han Xiao's arm and shook it playfully. In front of outsiders, she was a decisive, capable, and shrewd chief affairs officer, but in front of Han Xiao, she would sometimes be just like the little girl clinging to her teacher.
"Alright, alright, after the handover is complete, you can come back to work under me as a student." Han Xiao had no choice but to agree.
Upon hearing this, Sylvia broke into a bright smile, gave Han Xiao a quick kiss on the cheek, and then ran away like a thief who had stolen a chicken.
As she reached the door, Sylvia paused, A Smile Looking Back, like a lively elf, her cheeks slightly flushed and her tone playful.
"I was really not joking about the previous suggestion."
After saying that, she ran away as fast as she could without waiting for Han Xiao's reaction.
"Tsk, I don't believe you for a second, you little devil." Han Xiao shook his head and wiped the lipstick stain off his face.
Thinking back to his past life, after her father was imprisoned, Sylvia could only wander the universe aimlessly. Now, the Legion has given her a home and a goal to strive for. Han Xiao couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
Unbeknownst to many, their destinies have already been changed because of them.
"Sylvia's potential is probably not enough to reach Beyond Grade A, but nothing is absolute. Even weaklings like Kohler and Beoni can become Beyond Grade A. With my training, Sylvia might have a chance... I'll teach her some knowledge about Jiebach depending on the situation."
Han Xiao nodded secretly.
"Beep beep beep..."
Just then, his communicator suddenly rang. He took it out and glanced at it; it was a call from Ames.
Sylvia had barely left when Ames's barrage of calls came in?
"What a coincidence! Is this a woman's intuition?"
Han Xiao shuddered inwardly.
He composed himself and answered the call.
Ames appeared on the screen, resting her chin on her hand, a gentle, elegant smile on her face.
"It's been a while. Want to come over and chat? Iso's made a new batch of wine."
"That's it? No way!"
"And... I miss you a little bit." Ames blinked.
Let's go.
Without saying a word, Han Xiao immediately switched to the Sovereign.
Aside from regular meetings, he hadn't seen Ames much in private these past few years, as he'd been busy plotting conspiracies and researching machinery. He felt somewhat guilty about it, and besides, he'd just finished something important and needed a break.